The Wire

This afternoon the controversial bill, Zoe’s Law, passed the NSW Lower House conscience vote. The name of the bill comes from Brodie Donegan’s unborn child who was killed at 8 months by an allegedly negligent driver. An amendment to the Crimes Act now gives personhood to a foetus from 20 weeks who is victim to grievous bodily harm. An exemption was placed in the bill, amid concerns it would restrict a woman’s right to have an abortion or give consent for other medical procedures. However, women’s rights groups fear the implications will extend far beyond protecting women like Ms Donegan.